How to Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics | TV and Streaming
For the first time in 70 years, the Winter Olympic Games have returned to Northern Italy. The historic Stadio San Siro at the heart of Milan and the picturesque Cortina d’Ampezzo nestled in the Dolomites provide the backdrop for the best winter athletes in the world to strut their stuff. From Chloe Kim to Ilia Malinin, there will be an abundance of stars looking to make their mark and bring home the gold for their country. Here’s a complete guide breaking down how to watch the Winter Olympics, making sure you catch every second of the action from Milano-Cortina, with a medley of TV and streaming options.
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Who Will Broadcast The 2026 Winter Olympics?
NBC will broadcast the 2026 Winter Olympics across the United States. This has been the case since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, but Comcast NBCUniversal has recently reupped through the 2034 edition, now elevated to a strategic partner of the Olympics from their previous status as mere media rights holders.
What Channel Is The Winter Olympics On?
The Winter Olympics will be available on all NBC-affiliated channels, including NBC, CNBC and USA Network. There are so many different events to tune into, and they are all happening at different times from day to day. So, be sure to check the Winter Olympics schedule for the easiest way to find the event you want to see.
Where Can I Watch The Opening And Closing Ceremonies On Cable?
The opening and closing ceremonies, taking place in Milan and Verona respectively, will be broadcast on NBC.
Where Can I Stream The Winter Olympics?
Peacock is the streaming home of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Every event, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies in Milan and Verona respectively, will be broadcast on the platform. Given Peacock’s position as NBC’s flagship streaming service, the platform is ideally suited for catching every second of action.
| Plan | Monthly price | Annual price | Ads | Winter Olympics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Select | $7.99 / month | $79.99 / year | ✔ With ads | ✖ Not included |
| Premium | $10.99 / month | $109.99 / year (12 months for price of 10) | ✔ With ads | ✔ Included |
| Premium Plus | $16.99 / month | $169.99 / year (12 months for price of 10) | ⏺ No ads* (limited exclusions) | ✔ Included |
How Much Of The Olympics Will Be On Peacock?
The Winter Olympics will be broadcast on Peacock in the same way that the 2024 Summer Olympics were for anyone who remembers: every event will be shown live, with on demand viewing options as well. This includes exclusive features as well as the actual events themselves, alongside their corresponding medal ceremonies and, of course, expert analysis.
The Gold Zone round-up show will conclude each day, going over highlights, medals and major news. Peacock also provides the opportunity to watch multiple events simultaneously through their Multiview feature, with or without commentary.
Do I Need Peacock Premium To Watch The Olympics?
Yes, you will need at least a Peacock Premium Plan to watch the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. A Select Plan alone will not suffice. Conversely, a Premium Plus plan will offer the same coverage as the regular Premium package, but with significantly fewer ads.
Where Can I Stream The Opening And Closing ceremonies?
The opening and closing ceremonies can be streamed on Peacock, or through various NBC-affiliated media such as NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, NBC app, and the NBC Sports app.
Can You Watch The Winter Olympics Without Cable?
Yes, the Winter Olympics will be shown in its entirety on NBC’s streaming service, Peacock. Conversely, other non-cable TV providers such as YouTubeTV, Fubo, and SlingTV, which carry NBC-affiliated channels would be viable viewing options as well.
What’s The Cheapest Way To Watch The Olympics?
The absolute cheapest way to watch the Winter Olympics is to pay for a month of Peacock Premium. All games will be available live and on demand, but the biggest drawback is the quantity of advertisements that will be shown in each broadcast.
For marginally more money, you could upgrade to the Peacock Premium Plus plan, which offers ad-free replays while providing identical coverage. There is actually a clever way to try and watch some of the Winter Games for free, which we detail in more information at the bottom of this guide.
Can you rewatch Winter Olympics events on demand?
Yes, all events at this year’s Winter Olympics will be available on demand through Peacock. While recording events on DVR is always an alternative, the streaming route offers the most comprehensive and accessible option here.
Do I need Peacock Premium Plus to watch Winter Olympics events on demand?
No, you only need Peacock Premium to watch the Olympics on demand. With that being said, it may be worth considering the investment into a month of Peacock Premium Plus. With Premium alone, replays will still have ads, and based on what went down in the 2024 Summer Olympics, a lot of them. Premium Plus has fewer ads during live broadcasts, and none on replays, a huge time saver and definitely worth the investment if you plan on watching most events on demand because of the time difference.
How long will the Winter Olympics be on demand?
No need to worry about recordings expiring before you get to watch them. The Winter Olympics will remain on demand on Peacock for around 6 months after the event has concluded, at which point NBC’s rights expire, and those same events will be available to rewatch on the Olympics website instead.
Is there any Winter Olympics Coverage free to watch?
At the moment, the best means of catching the games for free is by trialing FuboTV or YoutubeTV. However, both trials are shorter than the full duration of the Olympic Games, so be sure to cross-reference the daily Winter Olympics program with the dates you plan on utilising your free trial so that you line it up with your desired events.